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| ELTON JOHN NEWS ARCHIVE: June 2012 |
| Blur get 'Sir Elton John's Cock' out Friday, June 29 2012 |
Soon you will be able to get your hands on 'Sir Elton John's Cock' with thanks to Blur.
The Blur song 'Sir Elton John's Cock' will finally be released on the forthcoming Blur box set 'Blur 21: The Box'. The track was written during the Think Tank sessions but unreleased at the time. Not much is known of the song. It was recorded in the early stages of the 'Think Tank' sessions and it was thought to have been deleted.
The release marks 21 years since Blur's debut album 'Leisure' in 1991. 'Blur 21: The Box' will be released on July 30, 2012.
| Stars turn out to party with Elton & David Friday, June 29 2012 |
Adam Lambert, Naomi Watts, Matthew Morrison and Lulu were among the stars who attended Sir Elton John's annual fundraising party on June 28, 2012.
Singers Holly Valance and Sam Sparro, actress/model Kelly Brook and comedian David Walliams and his supermodel wife Lara Stone also donned their finest outfits for the annual White Tie and Tiara Ball, which took place at Elton's estate in Windsor, England.
Sparro kept his Twitter.com fans updated throughout the evening, informing them of the food served and uploading pictures of the lavish party. He told his followers, "Dessert at Elton John's Fundraiser- served on a chocolate Motown record!"
Morrison also tweeted, "Look forward to this every year!" The glitzy gala was held to benefit the Elton John Aids Foundation.
| Elton and other record songs for Olympics Thursday, June 28 2012 |
Elton John, Muse and Dizzee Rascal have recorded songs for the Olympic Games.
They are among six artists who have recorded for Rock the Games, a music and entertainment programme for the Olympics. As part of Rock the Games, Scissor Sisters, Rizzle Kicks and Soft Focus will be performing live at sporting events.
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) also announced on June 27, 2012 that Olympians and celebrities including Helen Mirren and Ricky Gervais have recorded messages for the Games, which will be played in the lead-up to events.
LOCOG has also created video guides to sports and will be offering spectators the chance to buy live commentary for events they are watching. Live commentary will be in 12 venues and will cost £10.
Presenters including Ben Shepherd and Gethin Jones will also present interviews at events in Olympic venues.
| Taupin exhibition in Austin, Texas Thursday, June 28 2012 |
Contemporary art available for acquisition August 2-25, 2012 at Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery with artist appearances August 24/25, 2012 from 6-8 pm.
| Jewels for Hope – The Collection of Mrs. Lily Safra benefits EJAF Wednesday, June 27 2012 |
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is tremendously grateful to Mrs. Lily Safra for choosing the Foundation as one of 32 charities that will each receive $1 million from the spectacularly successful auction Jewels for Hope: The Collection of Mrs. Lily Safra, held on May 14, 2012, by Christie’s Geneva.
100% of the collection presented for auction was sold, raising US $32 million and greatly exceeding the collection’s pre-sale estimate. Because of the auction’s tremendous success, Mrs. Safra selected an additional twelve charitable organizations to join the twenty originally chosen to benefit from the sale.
“Lily Safra is a dear friend of Elton’s and mine, but more than that, she has been a true champion in the fight against AIDS,” said EJAF Chairman David Furnish. “Her support of our critical work has been invaluable. Elton and I are so thankful for her continued generosity through this wonderful auction, and we are very proud of her longtime, personal commitment to AIDS awareness, treatment, and prevention.”
EJAF Founder Sir Elton John noted, “Lily Safra made an extraordinarily generous and personal choice – to sell her fabulous jewelry collection in order to help others. Her friendship means the world to us, and we cannot begin to thank her adequately for choosing to support the work of our Foundation. We wish her tremendous joy as she watches her charitable investments make a real difference in the lives of those in need.”
The fabulous auction included what has now been renamed “The Hope Ruby,” a 32.08 carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring by Chaumet, which sold for US $6.742 million and set a new world record price for any ruby sold at auction. The auction also featured Mrs. Safra’s collection of 18 jewels by JAR, the largest and most important single-owner collection of JAR jewelry ever brought to market, which sold for US $11.473 million.
At the conclusion of the auction Mrs. Safra stated, “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who participated in this evening’s success. I am overjoyed, knowing that so many people in need around the world will benefit. Like the jewels sold tonight, these extraordinary organizations make the world a more beautiful place, and it is a great privilege to be able to support them.”
| Elton John vs Pnau Monday, June 25 2012 |
Eltonjohn.com has published a new video on Elton's YouTube of Elton and Pnau discussing their new album, "Good Morning To The Night".
| Elton John sale - update Sunday, June 24 2012 |
On a personal note: I am still clearing out my Elton John collection.
A lot of stuff has accumulated over the past decades and the time has come to let go at least of all those collectibles I have two (or even more) copies of.
Since I started the sale in October 2011 I have added hundreds of items to the Elton John Sale page. Check it out!
Stephan
(Webadmin)
| Elton suing "The Times of London" for suggesting he’s a tax dodger Saturday, June 23 2012 |
Elton John has never been shy about suing any publication that publishes lies about him, and now he’s prepared to do it yet again.
A statement on eltonjohn.com says that Elton has “instructed his solicitor to proceed against” The Times of London for an article it published this week which mentioned him prominently. So what did the paper say about Elton that’s gotten him so upset? Surprisingly, it’s the suggestion that he, along with other wealthy Brits, are using a certain loophole — namely, investing in movies — to avoid paying huge amounts of tax.
According to the statement on the website, “The Times newspaper has run a series of articles about tax avoidance schemes, particularly the film finance scheme. Elton has never had any involvement in such schemes, and yet The Times has included his photograph, and three prominent mentions of his name, within the article.”
The statement goes on to say, “Elton strongly objects to The Times using his name and image in such a gratuitous manner, provoking unnecessary innuendo.”Related News
Friday, June 22 2012 at 07:04:25
| Tell me what the papers say Friday, June 22 2012 |
On June 21, 2012 The Times newspaper has run a series of articles about tax avoidance schemes, particularly the film finance scheme.
As eltonjohn.com states, Elton John has never had any involvement in such schemes, and yet The Times has included his photograph, and three prominent mentions of his name, within the article. Elton strongly objects to The Times using his name and image in such a gratuitous manner, provoking unnecessary innuendo, and has instructed his solicitor to proceed against the newspaper.
| Elton fans let down by view from front row Friday, June 22 2012 |
Fans who paid for top tickets to see Elton on Tyneside on June 13, 2012 say they couldn’t even see the star from their seats, reports the Evening Chronicle.
Elton wowed concertgoers when he touched down in Newcastle to deliver a stunning set to a packed Metro Radio Arena. But for a group of disappointed front row fans, the 65-year-old superstar might as well have been a tiny dancer for all they could actually see of the lavish show.
Despite paying £110 a ticket for what they thought should have been some of the best seats in the house, music lovers on the right hand side of row one, some of whom had travelled hundreds of miles to be there, say they were left staring into the blackness of a technical area rather than at the Candle in the Wind crooner.
Charlotte Hodgson, 36, a teacher from Wideopen, took mum Murial, 63, and was really disappointed. “My view was of a black pit where the sound guys were set up. If I looked to the left all I could really see was equipment blocking the stage and the video screen was vertically above. I go to the Arena quite a lot and I never expected anything but a fantastic view. I must have been to over 100 concerts there and I’ve never found myself in a position like that before."
“I spoke to the Arena on the night and they washed their hands of it, saying it was nothing to do with them and blaming Elton John’s production company. Halfway through the show I asked to move seats further back but wasn’t allowed. I asked for a refund, but they told me they have a ‘no refund’ policy.”
A spokesman for Newcastle Arena said the problem was likely to be of production company Marshall Arts’ making, and offered support to the disappointed fans should they not receive a satisfactory response. “We take complaints very seriously but are not aware of any on the night,” he said. “Certainly, although it was a virtual sell-out, there were some pockets of seats that people could have been relocated to.
“Right now it would be best for people to contact the production company direct, as involving us as a third party will not help matters, but clearly if people come back to us after doing that, we might be able to take it up on their behalf.” Marshall Arts were unreachable for comment.
| Cafe Nights in New York Thursday, June 21 2012 |
Elton fan and reader of eltonfan.net, Jack Phillips, has recorded a CD of original jazz compositions.
In the liner notes Jack writes: Before moving to New York in 2006, I passed through frequently while traveling between the west coast and London, and on each and every New York visit without fail I would stop in at The Café Carlyle to see and hear Bobby Short. In fact, it was Bobby who introduced me to his drummer Klaus Suonsaari, my friend since the mid-1990s who appears on this record. In recent times, the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band has occupied the famed Café on Monday nights, and I’ve been a regular fan for more than six years. About a year ago I decided that I wanted to move musically in the direction of writing classic standard songs such as those written by Cole Porter. I wanted to paint a picture of life in sophisticated New York penthouse apartments where everyone drinks martinis, has memories of Paris and simply adores the hot jazz up in Harlem. Bobby Short was the consummate saloon singer and he painted this picture only too well. This is my homage to a time when I was privileged enough to have visited the Café during that happier era from the early-1990s through the mid-2000s.
Jack Phillips
New York, New York
Click on the image on the right to order the album from Amazon. It is also be available from CD Baby.
| Elton John, Billie Jean King to rally for HIV/AIDS charities Thursday, June 21 2012 |
Elton John and tennis great Billie Jean King plan to bring their AIDS charity tennis event to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2012.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and event organizers will make the announcement at the City-County Building, Downtown on June 25, 2012. They'll also name the participating celebrities and tennis stars in the 20th annual World Team Tennis Smash Hits fundraiser, mayoral spokeswoman Joanna Doven said.
Mr. Ravenstahl's office said the event will feature "some of the biggest legends in tennis history, including Grand Slam and Olympic champions. We're really excited to host this world-renowned event, which will bring more global attention to Pittsburgh and bring light to such an important issue," Ms. Doven said. The October 2012 event will be at the Petersen Events Center at the University of Pittsburgh.
Last October's event in Cleveland raised more than $500,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland, organizers said at the time. Over 19 years, the event has raised more than $10.5 million for John's foundation and local charities, organizers said in a statement in 2011.
The Cleveland event pit a group of stars led by Elton against a group led by Ms. King, who counts 20 Wimbledon titles among her achievements, according to her website. "Team Elton" won. Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe and Jan-Michael Gambill were among the tennis stars who took part. Last year's event included an auction of tickets to the Super Bowl and French Open, memorabilia signed by Elton and tennis lessons from some of the stars who attended.Related News
Friday, October 28 2011 at 18:04:00
Wednesday, August 17 2011 at 09:55:50
| Elton John rocks the Mediterranean with a private concert Thursday, June 21 2012 |
Elton took to the stage on June 19, 2012 to play for a small group of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity attendees.
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and MediaLink hired the theatrical singer to perform for clients, potential clients and high-profile festival-goers. Attendees included WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell, IPG CEO Michael Roth, Horizon Media CEO Bill Koenigsberg and about 150 other guests.
Elton performed classics such as Rocket Man, I'm Still Standing, Your Song and Tiny Dancer at the ultra-luxuriousHotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes.
"It was a small gathering, yet Elton performed with such passion it was "as if he were in an arena of 20,000," says concert-goer Jim Stengel, CEO of consulting firm The Jim Stengel Company. "The energy simply swept the room."
| Elton John’s ‘Live In Australia’ Turns 25 Thursday, June 21 2012 |
It’s rare that a live album captures not only a remarkable performance, but a pivotal moment in the life and career of an artist.
The 1987 release ‘Elton John Live In Australia With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,’ which turns 25 in June 2012, documents some amazing music as well as a legendary night when Elton stared down the destruction of his voice and career, and won.
Throughout his late-1986 tour of Australia, which featured both a traditional rock set and full orchestral set each night, Elton had suffered pain and vocal difficulties due to polyps on his vocal cords. His surgery to remove those polyps occurred just weeks after the close of the tour, in early January 1987. As he performed this show on the tour’s final nights, he had no idea whether his surgery would leave him with the ability to sing at all, let alone to perform at a rock superstar level again.
Knowing this, and hacking up both phlegm and blood throughout the night, Elton went on to perform a legendary set, with a level of commitment and passion that spoke to his fragile state. You can hear the rawness in his voice on the ‘Live In Australia’ record, but it doesn’t sound damaged; it sounds more intense, more emotional. This has been called the last recording on which Elton used his “old” register, as the surgery and aging have brought his voice down a few octaves while adding a new soulful depth to its timber. But the transition seems to be beginning here; you can hear Elton leaning harder into the notes, finding new phrasing for songs he’d performed nightly for years, determined to wring every last drop of emotion and power out of this music.
He’s backed by a full symphony orchestra under the leadership of James Newton Howard, who also contributed some of the orchestral arrangements. Howard would go on to become a hugely successful film composer, working closely with James Cameron on such blockbusters as ‘Titanic’ and ‘Avatar.’ For Elton’s Australia shows, Howard developed warm, lush and dynamic arrangements of some of Elton’s signature tunes, including ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ and ‘Take Me To The Pilot.”
‘Live In Australia’ is an emotional turning point for Elton John, both personally and artistically. It’s the music of a man facing real pain and overcoming it while the world listens in.
By Matt Springer, Ultimate Classic Rock
| Gone with the wind Sunday, June 17 2012 |
Elton's performance at Blackpool Tower on June 16, 2012 came to an abrupt end due to bad weather.
The inaugural concert at a new venue in Blackpool was cut short by strong winds. Nearly two hours into his set, Elton told a disappointed crowd of almost 11,000 that on police advice he had been told to stop playing. The Blackpool Tower Headland outdoor arena lies in the shadow of the Lancashire resort's tower.
Rain poured for most of the day at the resort but relented as the concert began. The temporary stage though was buffeted with high winds shortly before Elton called time. "I have been told there is some really bad weather on the way," he said. "The police say you need to leave right now in an orderly fashion. I'm sorry but I don't want anyone to be hurt. I'll make it up to you."
The largely middle-aged crowd filed away from their seats without much fuss and some were happy to buy programmes and T-shirts on their way out. Earlier Elton played a rousing set of all his hits and opened appropriately with "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)".
The concert was the first in a series of summer events at the venue but conditions were breezy throughout on The Promenade. "I can't see anyone with a bikini on out there," Elton told the crowd on his first return to Blackpool since 1977.
Following is the complete set list of the Blackpool Tower show on June 16, 2012:
| Elton to speak at International AIDS Conference Sunday, June 17 2012 |
President Clinton will deliver keynote remarks at the closing session on July 27, 2012. Elton will deliver a keynote address on July 23, 2012.
Organizers of the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) announced on June 15, 2012 that President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, philanthropist Bill Gates, and humanitarian Sir Elton John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, will be among the high-level speakers who will join thousands of the world's top AIDS researchers, community leaders, and other stakeholders in Washington, D.C. this summer. An estimated 25,000 attendees are expected to attend AIDS 2012, which will take place from 22 to 27 July under the theme Turning the Tide Together.
The theme of AIDS 2012, Turning the Tide Together, has been selected to emphasize how a global and decisive commitment is crucial to change the course of the epidemic now that science is presenting promising results in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention. This biennial event is the world's largest meeting on AIDS, where leading
scientists report on the latest AIDS research, and together with implementers, community leaders and policymakers, help to identify next steps in the global response to AIDS.
The full AIDS 2012 programme is now available through the conference website and significant parts of the programme – including webcasts of key sessions, speeches, slide presentations, abstracts, digital posters, session-specific and daily rapporteur reports, as well as workshop handouts and audio recordings, will also be online during the conference. The conference will take place in Washington DC July 23 to 27, 2012.
| Elton John and band performed in Birmingham on June 15, 2012 Saturday, June 16 2012 |
Following is the complete set list of the Birmingham show on June 15, 2012.
| Susan Boyle left "speechless" after Elton John shout-out Friday, June 15 2012 |
Susan Boyle has confessed she was left "speechless" after meeting Elton John at one of his recent concerts.
The Britain's Got Talent star admitted that she did not even realize the iconic performer knew who she was. Boyle was at Falkirk Stadium on June 10, 2012 watching Elton when he gave her a shout-out in front of 15,000 fans. He then invited the 'I Dreamed a Dream' star backstage for a chat.
"I almost fell off my chair when he announced that I was in the audience," Boyle told the Daily Record. "I was surprised he even knew who I was. It's rare I'm speechless but on this occasion I was. The man is a musical genius and I was thrilled that I got to say hello backstage."
Boyle also revealed that she started recording her fourth studio album last week. The collection is expected to be released later in 2012.
| Fashion Cares 25 to Benefit EJAF Thursday, June 14 2012 |
On September 9, 2012, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) and the AIDS Committee of Toronto will be the beneficiaries of the MAC VIVA Glam Fashion Cares 25: A Night of Glitter & Light with Elton John and Friends – a glamorous concert event to be held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada.
The event will also include complimentary cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a fashion show featuring “Actively Outrageous” fashions of the past 25 years, as well as a retrospective of Elton’s fantastic stage costumes. Tickets for the concert will go on sale on June 15, 2012, and may be purchased through Ticketmaster.
EJAF Founder Sir Elton John and Chairman David Furnish are extremely pleased to be directly involved in this event. Elton will be the headline performer for the concert, and David, who is a Toronto native, will serve as Co-Chair of Fashion Cares 25 along with Michael King. EJAF is also particularly proud that longtime Foundation friends and supporters Frank Giustra and John Demsey will be joining fashion industry icon Jeanne Beker as Honorary Chairs for Fashion Cares 25.
In addition to supporting EJAF’s work here in the U.S., the Foundation’s proceeds from Fashion Cares 25 will also be used to launch a significant targeted grants initiative focused specifically on community-based, front-line HIV/AIDS organizations and service providers in Canada, conducting innovative programs for marginalized, vulnerable, and under-served populations.
| Elton John and band performed in Newcastle on June 13, 2012 Thursday, June 14 2012 |
Following is the complete set list of the Newscastle show on June 13, 2012.
| Elton to headline Peace One Day 2012 concert Thursday, June 14 2012 |
Elton John will be headlining the Peace One Day concert, the final event of the London 2012 Festival and forming the biggest concert Elton will play in 2012.
The concert is being produced by Peace One Day Founder, Jeremy Gilley and Actor Jude Law, with the full line up yet to be announced. Tickets go on sale on June 18, 2012 for the Peace One Day concert at Wembley Arena featuring a headline performance by Elton John and his band. Further artists will be announced over the coming weeks and there will be contributions at the concert from Peace One Day ambassador Jude law and Peace One Day founder and filmmaker Jeremy Gilley.
Jeremy Gilley said: “Peace One Day is calling for and working towards a Global Truce on Peace Day 2012. We have a clear strategy and we hope this will be the largest global reduction of violence ever recorded on one day – Peace Day. This day is as much about non-violence in our schools, our homes, workplace and local communities as it is about ceasefire on the international stage."
Jude Law, who is producing the concert with Gilley, added: “I’ve been involved with Peace One Day for such a long time, and it’s thrilling that Elton is performing at the Peace One Day Celebration on 21st September this year. It’ll be a wonderful event.”
This spectacular gig is the biggest event yet for Gilley’s Peace One Day non-profit organisation, which in 2001 led a process that resulted in the unanimous adoption by UN member states of the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence, fixed in the calendar as September 21, 2012 – Peace Day.
Elton John said: “When Jeremy and Jude came to see me and told me about Peace One Day and the Global Truce 2012 campaign I had to get involved and support them. I am looking forward to seeing everyone on the 21st September at Wembley Arena!”
The show, which will be filmed in HD and broadcast internationally, is the final in a trilogy of Peace One Day concerts produced as part of the London 2012 Festival. The second show in Londonderry on June 21, 2012 is the opening event of the London 2012 Festival and marks the three-month countdown to Peace Day 2012.
| EJAF Photography Portfolio Tuesday, June 12 2012 |
The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) released its second Photography Portfolio.
It features the work of ten renowned photographers from five countries: Tina Barney (USA), Rineke Dijkstra (Netherlands), Elger Esser (Germany), Candida Höfer (Germany), Chen Jiagang (China), David LaChapelle (USA), Alex Prager (USA), Ed Ruscha (USA), Hedi Slimane (France), and Frank Thiel (Germany).
The edition size is made of 40 prints and 12 Artist Proofs, each sized 20 x 24 inches. Each portfolio is enclosed in a custom-designed, archival photographic storage box that includes the ten photographs, a table of contents and a letter to the purchaser signed by Sir Elton John. Photographs included in the EJAF Photography Portfolio II are unique and are only available through purchase of the entire $25,000 portfolio.
“From the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic, artists have engaged their talents to raise awareness to the challenges of the epidemic and inspire others to action,” said EJAF Founder Sir Elton John. “I have had the great pleasure of collecting the works of the artists represented in this portfolio for many years, and I am so thrilled and deeply grateful to them for joining us in this important project.”
| Elton John and band performed in Falkirk on June 10, 2012 Tuesday, June 12 2012 |
Following is the complete set list of the Falkirk show on June 10, 2012.
| Elton John and band performed in Chesterfield on June 9, 2012 Sunday, June 10 2012 |
Tallia Storm, 13, sang on June 9, 2012 for 15,000 fans of Elton after handing his partner David Furnish a CD on holiday.
The soulful songstress was showered with praise afterwards on Twitter by concert-goers. A typical tweet read: ‘@tallia_storm well done you! You sang beautifully x’
Glaswegian Tallia, real name Natalya Storm Hartman, tweeted before the show: ‘At the stadium – stage is huge – omg – so excited!’ Elton rang Tallia on her mobile to ask if she would play the gig at Falkirk Football Stadium when David passed on the demo she gave him after spotting him on holiday in Hawaii.
The teenager, who has had more than 1 million hits on music-sharing site Myspace, said the break was ‘one of the most surreal experiences in my life’. She said: ‘I really didn’t know what to say at first but he was so excited about my music. He was warm, and totally down-to-earth.’
Elton’s management company has signed up the teenager. Friends of the star, 65, said: ‘He was blown away when David handed him the tape.’
Following is the complete set list of the Chesterfield show on June 9, 2012:Related News
Wednesday, February 22 2012 at 10:12:05
| Elton John and band performed in Belfast on June 7, 2012 Sunday, June 10 2012 |
Following is the complete set list of the Belfast show on June 7, 2012.
| Special fan zone at Elton’s Kiev concert Sunday, June 10 2012 |
As already reported earlier, Elton will perform a free concert at Kiev’s Independence Square on June 30, 2012, the day before the final match of the European Championchip.
Organizer are planning to set up a special fan zone for Elton fans from all over the world which will be right in front of the stage. One needs to receive a invitation to get access to that special Elton fan zone.
If you are planning to attend the show in Kiev and if you would like to view it from the special Elton fan zone, please get on touch with Victoria Maliukevych from the Ukrainian fan club „Pinball Wizard” at tinydancer@ukr.net. You need to inform Victoria about your wish you get access to the fan zone and you must state your full name and country of residence.
We would like to thank our friends in the Ukraine for arranging this great opportunity for Elton fans!Related News
Friday, June 8 2012 at 06:17:55
| Elton John and Queen will perform in downtown Kiev Friday, June 8 2012 |
Elton John and a British rock band Queen will hold a charitable anti-AIDS concert on the Independence Square before the Euro 2012 European Football Championship final on June 30, 2012.
"Elton John and rock band Queen will play to support the fight against AIDS, here, on Independence Square," Head of the ANTIAIDS Foundation Olena Pinchuk said at a press conference in Kiev on June 7, 2012. The ANTIAIDS Foundation, with the assistance of UEFA, will organize the concert. The concert will be entitled "Your Life is Not a Game. Let's Stop AIDS Together!" It will begin on June 30, 2012 at 8pm and will last until midnight.
According to Pinchuk, Elton John and Queen refused payment for the performance. The concert will take place on the stage in the fan zone on the Independence Square. "We will not build anything special," she said. The concert will consist of two parts, admission will be free of charge, and in addition, the concert will be broadcast live.
Pinchuk assumed that Elton John and Queen could attend the final match of Euro 2012 and said that she did not know whether they would attend the closing ceremony of the championship. During the concert, the foundation will raise funds for a new joint project of Elton John's and Olena Pinchuk's anti-AIDS foundations.
| Elton John and band performed in Harrogate on June 5, 2012 Wednesday, June 6 2012 |
Fan review by Simon Owens.
From the moment Elton John came bounding onstage to "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" at this Harrogate concert, the audience knew that he would be in top form. Running on to the opening chords, and buzzing around the stage to work up the audience response, he was quite clearly a performer intent on putting on a show. As an attendee of Elton concerts for some fifteen years, I can hardly remember seeing him appearing as energised, or as happy to be performing. Sounding in great voice in spite of his recent respiratory illness, Elton sang melodies and played piano licks that sounded spontaneous and borne of a genuine enthusiasm to play the set.
The set itself was an excellent mix of vintage Elton and well known hits, with a leaning towards the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album that will please many fans; as well as hearing "Candle In The Wind" in an arrangement very close to its original form, the audience was also treated to the epic "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", a bouncing hit-up of "Bennie And The Jets", a tight, rollocking version of "Grey Seal", the concert opener ("Saturday Night's Alright") and the album's anthemic title track. The set was generally upbeat, with numbers possibly unfamiliar to casual fans such as "Grey Seal" and "Hey Ahab" winning standing ovations.
The rockers were smartly separated by flawless performances of "Tiny Dancer", "Daniel" and a fantastic version of "Nikita", solo, which was one of the concert's highlights. Possibly the finest moment of the night, though, was a superb arrangement of "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters", which was greatly served by Davey Johnson's mandolin and the wonderful quartet of backing singers - this was the finest arrangement of this song that I have ever heard, and a moment not to be missed on this tour.
For all of that, it was just a great pleasure to see and hear Elton John in such good form, both musically and personally. In almost thirty concerts, I can't ever remember seeing Elton looking so happy and buoyant in his performance. A great highlight was when, during "Sacrifice", between lines that were sung, he used to the microphone to encourage a couple to continue their slow dance near to the stage. The entire audience took to their feet to watch, and at the end of the song, Elton walked across to applaud the couple in question.
As the audience rushed forward for Elton's usual barnstorming finale, they were rocketed from being in the palm of Elton's hand into hysteria. The ovations were lengthy, and despite some potentially controversial comments from Elton about current England manager Roy Hodgson, this marvellous concert will hopefully be remembered for all the right reasons.
Following is the complete set list of the Harrogate show on June 5, 2012:
| Queen's Jubilee highlighted by Elton John Tuesday, June 5 2012 |
The concert took place on a spectacular, special-built stage for a live audience of some 20,000, with a reported 250,000 people stretching all the way down the Mall towards Trafalgar Square. Many millions more watched live through the primetime television coverage on BBC1.
Elton John gave a dazzling performance at the Jubilee concert wearing a pink sparkling blazer and matching wacky glasses despite falling ill with pneumonia only a few weeks before.
His performance must have been especially poignant for Princes William and Harry as Elton performed at the funeral of their mother Diana Princess of Wales. He has always been close to the Royal Family and on June 4, 2012 he gave a performance fit for a king with a medley of some of his most popular songs: "I’m Still Standing", "Your Song" and "Crocodile Rock". Speaking earlier on the One Show Elton revealed that he’d already had a party earlier inviting many of the performers so that his little boy Zachary could take part in the Jubilee celebrations since Elton’s performance would be past the little lad’s bedtime!
The Jubilee Concert celebrated 60 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign with performances from some of Britain’s finest musical exports including Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Tom Jones, Annie Lennox, Jessie J, Gary Barlow and Cheryl Cole.
Related News
Tuesday, June 5 2012 at 13:04:35
| Elton throws Diamond Jubilee Tea Party for toddler Tuesday, June 5 2012 |
Elton John hosted a star-studded Diamond Jubilee tea party on June 4, 2012 before taking the stage at Queen Elizabeth II's Buckingham Palace super-gig.
He joined thousands of Britons who used the Queen's jubilee celebrations to launch street and garden parties. Elton wanted to ensure his 15-month-old son Zachary didn't miss out on the fun and threw an A-list get-together in London before hitting the stage to perform for Her Majesty.
He tells Britain's The One Show, "We had a tea (party) at a hotel up the road so my little boy could come to at least part of the festivities because he's too young to come to the show. But I wanted him to come to it so that when he got a little older we could say, 'Listen you were at the Diamond Jubilee, you just went to the tea. We had a lot of (guests) - (Sir) Cliff (Richard) went to the thing, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, David Walliams... It was a lot of people."
Elton and his guests later went on to perform at the three-hour musical extravaganza held outside Buckingham Palace for the Queen, members of the royal family and almost 20,000 fans.
| Elton John and band performed in Somerset on June 3, 2012 Monday, June 4 2012 |
Fan review by Mark Giles.
Elton John started the UK leg of his tour at Somerset County Cricket Ground , Taunton in Somerset on June 3, 2012. With it being a Bank Holiday weekend, it was inevitable that rain would play a big part in the evening, as so it proved ... it rained before the concert and again when Elton came on stage, although it did stop after the first third of the show.
In recent years , Elton's set list have been very similar , although on this tour there were a couple of "rarer" songs and a few tweaks to the show. The fantastic 2 Cellos started with three songs on there own, followed by another accompanied by John Mahon. They then started the intro for "Saturday Night's Alright", and Elton and the band took to the stage. The highlights of the first part of the show were "Grey Seal" and "Mona Lisas".
Elton joked, "I’ve had pneumonia, diahorrea, measles, chicken pox, and all the things that come with old age.” Elton introduced "Candle In the Wind" by saying "This is one song I won't be playing tomorrow night" (referring to the Queen's Jubilee Concert) and the song was nicely supported by the band.
A "slow" stage rush started during "Candle in the Wind", and I decided to go down to the front and ended up right in front of Elton ... I expected to be pushed back by security, but they unbelievably let everyone stand there for the remainder of the show .
There was a shortened "Rocket Man" and (now one of my favorites) a rousing "Hey Ahab". "Nikita" and "Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word" were played beautifully solo (with the help of the 2 Cellos during the latter).
As always the show ended in a "party" atmosphere with the usual up-tempo finish, although there was no piano "leap" from Elton during "The Bitch Is Back". Elton seemed to be really enjoying himself, and despite the very high stage he grabbed my "The Union" album and signed it.
Following is the complete set list of the Somerset show on June 3, 2012:
| Elton 'honored' to perform at Diamond Jubilee concert Monday, June 4 2012 |
Elton has said that it is an "incredible honor" to be asked to perform at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert.
He will join stars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Shirley Bassey, Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran and Cheryl Cole for the show on June 4, 2012. Elton said: "It is the beginning of an incredible summer for Britain. It is an incredible honor to be asked to perform. I'm thrilled to have been asked and I'm really looking forward to it."
The concert, organized by Take That's Gary Barlow, will celebrate the Queen's 60-year reign. Members of the Royal Family, including Prince Philip, will be in attendance at the event, which will be staged in the surroundings of the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
An insider is quoted as tellng the Daily Star that they believe the show will be seen by billions of people. "This is going to be one of the biggest concerts in the history of this island, with an audience from around the world," the source said. "Gary Barlow has really surpassed himself in getting such quality acts all in one place for the greatest celebration Her Majesty has ever witnessed."Related News
Sunday, May 27 2012 at 10:22:21
| Elton's son boosts baby business Monday, June 4 2012 |
Getting an A-list celebrity to endorse your products, without paying an extortionate fee, was an inspired marketing ploy dreamt up by Daniel Price to promote his range of personalised baby clothing.
"My mother told me a radio station was looking for the perfect baby gift to give to Elton John and his partner David Furnish, who were being interviewed a week later," he says. Together with his business partner, he created a gift hamper, including a blanket embroidered with the slogan: Zachary - how wonderful life is now you're in the world.
"Not only did we get on-air promotion, certain magazines mentioned it and our business immediately stepped up another level," says Mr Price.
| Elton John and band performed in Wetzlar on June 1, 2012 Monday, June 4 2012 |
Following is the complete set list of the Wetzlar show on June 1, 2012.
| Elton's 1950 Bentley estimated to fetch £60,000 at auction Saturday, June 2 2012 |
A 1975 Bentley Corniche convertible formerly owned by Elton John is estimated to fetch around £50,000 to £60,000 at a Bonhams’ auction scheduled on June 16, 2012.
The car is one of the only 45 Bentley Corniche "Series 1" convertibles built between 1971 and 1976. The sale would be held in association with the VMCC (Vintage Motor Cycle Club) Banbury Run. The present owner bought the Corniche when a selection of cars from Elton's collection auctioned in 2001.
It was purchased new by Elton John in September 1975 and with a finish of silver mink with beige interior and matching hood. In 1998, the year of his knighthood, Elton sold the Bentley to his Personal Assistant, Robert Halley, from whom he repurchased it in 1999. During Halley's ownership the car was repainted in its present livery and updated with later alloy wheels.
According to the Bonhams' website, construction of these cars involved moving the body shells between the Crewe factory and MPW's Willesden plant, a process that took all of 20 weeks for the saloon and slightly longer for the more complex convertible. These exclusive cars were hand built in the best traditions of British coach-building using only materials of the finest quality including Wilton carpeting, Connolly hide and burr walnut veneers. The painstaking attention to detail resulted in a price some 50 percent higher than that of the standard Silver Shadow or T-Series Bentley.
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